The governing bodies of sports in Wales perform an organisational, regulatory or sanctioning function at a national level in Wales, some tracing their history to the 19th Century. Many cooperate with similar bodies from other countries to agree rule changes for their sport. Most implement decisions made by the international bodies to which they belong. Some, such as the Welsh Sports Association, cover a range of sports. Most of the governing bodies involved in competitive sports select, organise and manage individuals or teams to represent their countries at international events or fixtures against other countries.

Sport Wales recognise over fifty governing bodies of sports in Wales, which represent their sports.

Multi-sport bodies

The Federation of Disability Sport Wales () is the national pan-disability governing body of sports organisations that provide local sporting and physical activity opportunities to disabled people in Wales. The Federation of Disability Sport Wales is based at the Sport Wales National Centre, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.

Sport Wales () is responsible for developing and promoting sport and active lifestyles in Wales. It was established in 1927 with the objectives of "fostering the knowledge and practice of sport and physical recreation among the public at large in Wales and the provision of facilities thereto". Sport Wales is the Welsh Government's main adviser on sporting matters and is responsible for distributing National Lottery awards to sports in Wales. Sport Wales is based at the Sport Wales National Centre, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.

The Welsh Sports Association () (WSA) (established 1972) is an independent, umbrella body, supporting and representing the national and international interests of all the national governing bodies (NGBs) of sport and physical recreation in Wales. It has a membership of over 60 NGBs. The WSA acts as an independent consultative body to the Welsh Government, Sport Wales and to UK Sport. The Welsh Sports Association is based at the Sport Wales National Centre, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.

Angling

The Federation of Welsh Anglers (FWA) is the umbrella body for the three national governing bodies for sea, coarse and game fishing in Wales—the Welsh Federation of Sea Anglers, the Welsh Federation of Coarse Anglers and the Welsh Salmon and Trout Angling Association. It is responsible for angling coaching development in Wales. The FWA is based in Hirwaun, Rhondda Cynon Taf.

The Welsh Federation of Coarse Anglers (WFCA) is the governing body for coarse angling in Wales. It was established in 1977 and by 2003 had 69 affiliated clubs and over 23,000 members. The WFCA is based at Briton Ferry, Neath Port Talbot.

The Welsh Federation of Sea Anglers (WFSA) (established 1955) is the governing body of sea angling in Wales. The WFSA organise major angling events at regional and national levels. The WFSA fights for member clubs' access to, and fishing from, threatened facilities, as well as organising the election of individuals and teams to represent Wales at international sea angling competitions. The Welsh Federation of Sea Anglers is based in Bargoed, Caerphilly County Borough.

The Welsh Salmon and Trout Angling Association () (WSTAA) is the governing body for game angling in Wales and has about one hundred member clubs. Founded as the Welsh Fly Fishing Association () in 1952, the WSTAA organise national and international angling competitions, including two major World Fly Fishing Championships and the 2002 Commonwealth championship in Wales—The WSTAA Wales team won gold at the 2009 IFFA River International competition. The WSTAA also highlights issues that affect Welsh anglers including: game fishing conservation; threats to water quality from acid rain; water pollution; barrages; poaching; stocking; and Objective One funding. The Welsh Salmon and Trout Angling Association is based in Waunfawr, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion.

Archery The Welsh Archery Association (WAA) is the governing body for archery in Wales. It was established in 2000 by the merger of the South Wales Archery Society (formed 1951), the North Wales Archery Society (formed 1953) and the Welsh Archery Federation (formed 1970s), and by 2002 had 51 affiliated clubs and over 800 members. Responsibilities of the WAA include the competition, judging and coaching of archery in Wales. The WAA also control the selection and management of representative teams competing for Wales at international events. The Welsh Archery Association is based in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan.

Athletics Welsh Athletics () (WA) is the national governing body for athletics.

Set up as a limited company in 2007 to replace the former Athletic Association of Wales, Welsh Athletics has more than 70 affiliated clubs, with over 7,000 athletes taking part in WA competitions.

Welsh Athletics has been based at the Cardiff International Sports Stadium, Leckwith, since 2009, having been based at the Cardiff Athletics Stadium until the stadium was demolished in 2007.

Badminton Welsh Badminton Cymru (WBC) is the governing body for badminton in Wales. Formed in 1928 as The Welsh Badminton Union, in 1934 it was one of the founder members of the Badminton World Federation. It became a member of the European Badminton Union in 1968 (now Badminton Europe). Over 90 senior clubs are affiliated to Welsh Badminton Cymru, and its membership is nearly 4000.].

Wales competes in the European Championships, World Championships, Commonwealth Games and the Thomas and Uber Cup World Team Championships. WBC organises national and international competitions, including the Welsh National Badminton Championships and the Welsh International Badminton Championships, and manages the Wales representative squads internationally, at all levels.

Welsh Badminton Cymru is based at the Sport Wales National Centre, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.

Baseball Welsh Baseball Union (WBU), formed in 1892, is the governing body of men's British baseball in Wales. It is based in Heath, Cardiff.

Welsh Ladies Baseball Union (WLBU) is the governing body of women's British baseball in Wales. It was formed in 2006 when the WLBU decided to break away from the men's WBU. The WLBU are based in Grangetown, Cardiff.

Basketball Basketball Wales () is the sole controller and the governing body of all aspects of the game of basketball in Wales. It is responsible for the management of the Welsh National Basketball League, the national teams and for the organisation of all national and international basketball competitions held in Wales.

Basketball Wales is based at the Sport Wales National Centre, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.

Bowls The Welsh Bowls Federation (WBF) (established 2001) is an umbrella partnership body comprising representatives from the five national governing bodies: the Welsh Bowling Association; the Welsh Indoor Bowls Association; the Welsh Ladies Indoor Bowling Association; the Welsh Short Mat Bowls Association; and the Welsh Women's Bowling Association. The Welsh Bowls Coaching Association and Welsh Bowls Umpires Association are also represented. The WBF has 670 affiliated clubs and over 25,000 members. The Welsh Bowls Federation is based at Whitland, Carmarthenshire.

The Welsh Bowling Association (WBA) is the governing body for men's outdoor bowling clubs in Wales. It has 10 affiliated counties and 286 affiliated clubs. The WBA organise competitions, including the county championship, and select and manage the national side. At the 2009 Atlantic Rim Championship in Johannesburg, the Welsh men's team finished third. The Welsh Bowling Association is based at Llanishen, Cardiff.

The Welsh Crown Green Bowling Association (WCGBA) is the governing body for crown green bowling in Wales. The WCGBA organise competitions, including the Welsh Club Championship, and select and manage the national side.

The Welsh Indoor Bowls Association (WIBA) is the governing body for the indoor bowling clubs in Wales. It has 24 affiliated clubs. The WBA organise competitions, including the WIBA Club Championship, and select and manage the national side. The Welsh Bowling Association is based at Gorseinon, Swansea.

The Welsh Ladies Indoor Bowling Association (WLIBA) (formed 1950) is the governing body for the indoor bowling clubs in Wales. It has 25 affiliated clubs. The WLIBA organise national competitions and select and manage the national side. The Welsh Ladies Indoor Bowling Association is based at Ton Pentre, Rhondda Cynon Taf.

The Welsh Short Mat Bowls Association () (WSMBA) is the governing body for short mat bowling clubs in Wales. The WSMBA organise national competitions, including league and inter-county, and select and manage the national side.

The Welsh Women's Bowling Association (WWBA) (founded in 1932 as Welsh Ladies Bowls Association) is the governing body for women's outdoor bowling clubs in Wales. It has eight affiliated counties and 160 affiliated clubs. The WBA organise competitions, including the county championship, and select and manage the national side. At the 2009 Atlantic Rim Championship in Johannesburg, the Welsh women's team finished first. The Welsh Women's Bowling Association is based at Knighton, Powys.

Canoeing

Canoe Wales-Canw Cymru (formed as the Welsh Canoeing Association) is the governing body for canoeing and kayaking in Wales. It has over 50 affiliated clubs and a membership of 1800. Canoe Wales-Canw Cymru is responsible for the formal access agreements on the Conwy, Glaslyn, Llwyd, Ogwr, Severn, Tawe, Tryweryn, Twrch, Usk and Wye and informal agreements on rivers and managed stillwaters. It is also responsible for the rights of navigation agreements on sections of the Lugg, Severn and Wye. Canoe Wales-Canw Cymru organises competition at national and international level in all the canoeing and kayaking disciplines in Wales: freestyle; slalom; wild water racing; marathon racing; sprint racing; surf kayaking; and canoe polo.

Canoe Wales-Canw Cymru manages Canolfan Tryweryn, the National Whitewater Centre near Bala, Gwynedd, where Canoe Wales-Canw Cymru is based. The Afon Tryweryn is a dam released river, allowing water to flow when other rivers are running dry, providing a year-round white water venue.

Caving The Cambrian Caving Council (CCC) (formed 1969) is the national association for caving, representing the interests of caving clubs in Wales. It is a member of several organisations including the Brecon Beacons National Park Access & Recreation Advisory Group, the Countryside Council for Wales, the Gower Cave Advisory Group, the Gwenlais Valley Consortium (Carmel Woods), the Pembrokeshire Outdoor Charter, the Welsh Exploration Society and the Welsh Sports Association. The CCC also maintains contact with several other regional and national bodies including, the Natural Resources Wales, Forestry Enterprise, various bat groups, Welsh Water and Sport Wales, as well as with the other Regional Caving Councils.

Cricket

Cricket Wales () is an umbrella partnership body comprising the Welsh Cricket Association, Glamorgan Cricket, Wales National County, the Welsh Schools Cricket Association and Sport Wales. It regulates the sport of cricket in Wales and organises competitions up to national level. Cricket Wales is based at the SWALEC Stadium, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.

Glamorgan Cricket () is the Welsh first class, professional club. Glamorgan CCC play in the England and Wales Cricket Board County Championship. The club has over 7000 members. It also runs the Welsh Cricket Academy. Glamorgan Cricket is based at the SWALEC Stadium, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.

Wales National County Cricket Club runs the Welsh team in the National Counties Cricket Championship.

The Welsh Asians Cricket Club is based in Grangetown, Cardiff.

The Welsh Cricket Academy () is run by Glamorgan Cricket, based at the SWALEC Stadium, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.